Chapter Forty-Two: After the Third Round of Examinations, Yang Feng Remains in First Place

After hearing the chief examiner’s explanation, many faces in the crowd showed traces of worry.

Challenging a boss-level monster alone was a tremendous trial for any professional candidate.

Once again, Yang Feng chose the “extreme difficulty” mode, just as he had in the second round.

The moment the examiners saw Yang Feng’s choice, they began whispering among themselves.

“As expected, Yang Feng picked extreme difficulty.”

“With his strength and his summoned beasts, he’s certain to take the top spot this round.”

“It seems there’s no doubt that the champion of the Jiangnan Province college entrance examination is his this year!”

“Well, that’s not set in stone—there are still two rounds left!”

“Especially the last round—it’s far from simple!”

These examiners had overseen many years of college entrance exams. They’d seen students overtake their rivals at the final moment. Although Yang Feng’s performance so far was outstanding, they couldn’t declare with certainty that he would be this year’s Jiangnan champion.

The gap between Zhao Haoran and Yang Feng was growing ever wider. Originally, Zhao Haoran had hoped to become the top scorer in Jiangnan Province. Now, it seemed he might not even manage a place in the top two.

“The title of Jiangnan’s college entrance exam champion will be mine!” Zhao Haoran gritted his teeth. “There are still two rounds left—I won’t surrender! When this is over, Yang Feng, you’d better not cross my path, or I won’t let you off so easily!”

With clenched resolve, Zhao Haoran also selected the extreme difficulty mode.

Ye Mengyan, too, chose the toughest setting. After all, it was only one monster to face, and as a Light Mage with formidable attack power, she was confident.

When all choices were settled, the chief examiner announced the official commencement of the fourth round.

In an instant, everyone was transported into a separate space.

Each candidate found themselves facing a colossal monster—a creature made entirely of stone, wielding a massive stone hammer.

[Giant Rock Beast (BOSS)]
[Level: 20]
[Combat Power: 2000]
[Speed: 1000]
[Mental Strength: 800]
[Defense: 2000]
[Skill: Berserk Strike]

Seeing the monster’s attributes, Yang Feng remained unfazed. While labeled as “extreme difficulty,” the monster’s stats had been significantly reduced for the exam. After all, this was a test, not a genuine life-or-death battle.

Compared to the hard-mode dungeon in Qingshan Town, it was only a touch stronger than the Wind Wolf King—still far from a true boss-level threat.

Yang Feng understood the regulations of the Grand Summer Examination Institute. If they unleashed a truly fearsome monster, no ordinary candidate could withstand it. The point of the exam was to select outstanding talent, not to endanger lives.

As the battle began, Yang Feng summoned three Raven Warriors. At his command, they charged forward and instantly unleashed their skill:

Feather Arrows!

Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!

A volley of Feather Arrows rained down. The Giant Rock Beast fell to the ground.

Instant kill!

Yet another instant kill!

The examiners were stunned.

“He did it again—a one-shot kill!”

“Even his summoned pets can use skills?”

“That technique’s attack power is terrifying.”

“Yang Feng has ended every exam with a single blow—it’s outrageous!”

“How is anyone else supposed to compete against that?”

Even boss-level monsters were no match for Yang Feng’s overwhelming power. The examiners all acknowledged his strength. While the monsters were weakened for the exam, it wasn’t supposed to be this easy to defeat them.

Meanwhile, the other candidates were locked in difficult battles.

Ye Mengyan dodged the Giant Rock Beast’s attacks, launching spell after spell in return.

Zhao Haoran opted for direct confrontation, wielding his longsword and hacking at the monster’s stony hide. He displayed the full power of the Holy Swordsman’s combat style.

As for those who had chosen standard difficulty, none could match Yang Feng’s ease. He had simply summoned three Raven Warriors and wiped out his opponent with a single barrage of skills, without lifting a finger himself.

“Yang Feng’s strength is enough for him to clear even one-star dungeons.”

“One-star is too low—even up to level-twenty dungeons, he could handle them solo.”

“His combat power is far more than what we’ve seen here!”

“This exam hasn’t even revealed his true capabilities.”

“No matter, there’s still the fifth round to come.”

“If Yang Feng wants to claim the title of Jiangnan’s champion, he must face the fifth round.”

“We may finally see his full power then.”

The examiners exchanged hushed remarks.

No matter the province, the content of these exams was set by the Grand Summer Examination Institute. Even the examiners had no authority to alter the questions.

The only one present with that power was Dean Ding Wu, head of the Jiangnan Examination Institute. He sat silently in his chair, saying nothing, but the other examiners noticed his attention was mostly fixed on Yang Feng. Clearly, Ding Wu was deeply interested in Yang Feng.

After half an hour, the third round concluded.

Ye Mengyan, Zhao Haoran, and others had all succeeded in defeating their boss-level monsters and passed.

Of course, where some succeeded, others failed. Nearly ten thousand candidates were eliminated, unable to proceed to the next round—some had given up, others were injured and could not continue. Even so, their scores were respectable enough to gain admission to good universities.

Only about ten thousand candidates cleared the third round.

“Now, the results of the third round will be announced.

“First place: Yang Feng, 300 points!

“Second place: Ye Mengyan, 200 points!

“Third place: Zhao Haoran, 100 points!”

As for Cai Xukun, he was ranked one hundredth.

Yang Feng noted Cai Xukun’s ranking. Though it was only the hundredth place, that was quite an achievement. With this performance, Cai Xukun could easily enter Jiangnan University.

Yang Feng knew that despite Cai Xukun’s effeminate outward appearance, he was proud at heart. Having come this far, Cai Xukun would never give up easily. Clearly, he intended to participate in the fourth round.

Zhao Haoran remained in third place. He knew he couldn’t surpass Yang Feng in the third round.

“The next round is the fourth—I absolutely will not admit defeat!”

He gripped his longsword tightly, determination blazing in his eyes.

Soon, the chief examiner’s voice rang out once more.